Final instalment of the Vaulted Villa saga (I hope!) The files too big though (2.26Mb), so I've had to post it in Google's 3D Warehouse, ( http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/search?q=vaulted+villa&btnG=Search&styp=m&reps=1 )

I finally finished the staircase, including slide-out storage, bookcase and display cabinet, added handrails and installed by scaling to the height of the mezzanine floor (is this the right method?).

I've labeled each living area, although fitting a kitchen and adding furnishings would be too big a job, at the moment, I think. I'll install a spiral staircase in the master bed for private access to the roof terrace,(the wife loves sleeping under the stars!) at a later date or when I find an adequately ornate sample to import. The same goes for floor level doors and windows (gotta include shutters or bars for security! ).

The more observant will notice the roof-lights with circular windows. If you google "indalo man" you'll see the reference tips a hat at Andalucian culture whilst keeping the overall design light and contemporary (I hope again!).

I feel proud of this first "proper" attempt at design, but will welcome any profesional critique, as I need to know I'm on the right track, as it were. If all is well on a basic design level, maybe a more detailed and thorough project will be attempted, including plumbing, wiring, footings and bespoke items such as window framing for the roof-lights.
Hey! This could become an obsession!

Anyone from the UK going?
If so what are the chances of an informal "Mini-Basecamp" session in the UK afterwards, for the poor sods that can't afford all this jet set lifestyle? I don't mind doing some research for locations in the Midlands, and I know WITHOUT DOUBT that the hotels here are way cheaper than London and the south-east.

So many thanks guys! ....What a friendly bunch!

I can't get my 1st effort at a villa up here, apparently 18.4Mb is too big a file!?

Here's my latest "work in progress" with a seperante helping of "botched staircase". I think I'll have to start that again as well.

The Villa has a mezzanine over the main entrance, vaulted hall, barrel roofed kithen/dining area, and the master bed has yet to be added to the end of the main hall.

Messy, maybe but getting the main idea down, at this stage seems more important. I can't find a standard staircase to fit, so I've had to start building my own. I'll rip it out and insert a better one later, but I wanted to include central positioning, understairs storage and a display cabinet/bookcase on the rear (facing the front door).

Current "work in progress".

1st ever staircase. What a chore!

I'm hoping this works.

look at the underside of the piece you'll see the missing panel. I've scratched my head and can't make it fill in like then rest. Do I have to start over?

look at the underside of the piece you'll see the missing panel

@gaieus said:

Hi Mark and welcome. As the others above said; we'd need the model (or at least the problematic part) to look at.

You can select the problematic part then copy it onto the clipboard, open a new file and go "Edit" > "Paste in place". When we managed to help, you can copy it back where it was the same way.

Huh??!
I've duplicated parts before but never taken them out of the PC, so where do I send these pieces? And how do I do it? (feels a right imbecile about now)

Hi
Mark Simpson from the UK here.
Back in the Early 1980's I took Engineering Drawing at school, it was nothing like this, but as I was studying Computer Studies as well, I dreamt that one day I could use these new (in 1981!) "Personal Computer" things to do the drawings it took weeks to complete and make perfect. When 3D modelling came out(Disney's "Tron"), I knew propelling pencils were nearly obsolete!
I am a compulsive sketcher, on beer mats, cigarette packets, post-it notes, envelopes, ideas coming at the most awkward times, as the wife will testify But even though the ideas are there I have, until now, not had the tools to realise them. Now I have a free version of SU6.0 on a new Vista platform, and I am champing at the bit.
I have tried a couple of drawings, with a spanish villa in mind, but my visions seem to exceed my ability! I need a mentor to show me where I am going wrong. The latest practice piece was a vaulted hall, perfect in every way, except for one small hole in the inside roof that I can't get to behave and close like all the other facets of the ceiling.
Obviously, I've deleted a section at some point and this section refuses to be restored!
Can anyone here take a look at the piece, cast a critical eye over it, and suggest a way of correcting my gaff? (Before my frustrated verbal abuse, offends the neighbours and loses me a wife!)